Why is a LinkedIn profile important for your Business?

Have you started to group LinkedIn with the other social networking sites out there like Facebook and Myspace?  Are you beginning to get confused as to why everyone says you must have a profile on these sites?  Its ok if you do, most people feel the same way.  But the thing to remember is that LinkedIn is actually much different then both of those other community sites and it can be used much differently for your business. 

Unlike Facebook and Myspace, LinkedIn was built for professionals who wanted to use their existing and future social networks to build a career. It was also built for companies looking to find qualified employees for their business and for job-hunters to find the right people. 

I'm sure you are thinking "Gee that sounds great and all", but "What is LinkedIn and why should my business be on it?" "Why should I pay one of my employees to post updates, build our profile and network?"

We plan to answer those questions for you! For starters, as defined by the LinkedIn website, "LinkedIn is a networking tool that helps you discover inside connections to recommended job candidates, industry experts and business partners. It strengthens and extends your existing network of trusted contacts."

I think the most important part of that definition is the term "tool."  LinkedIn is a tool that assists in growing your business relationships and creating an online awareness of your business.  Again, it is NOT Facebook or Myspace because it's not a place where people play games.  It's a professional space to communicate and learn on the internet. 

Top Ten Reasons to use LinkedIn:

(1.) LinkedIn is a way to stay in touch with professional people and businesses that you have done business with in the past. (2.) You can use LinkedIn Events to find conferences, workshops and event promote your own event. (3.) LinkedIn is great SEO for your Blog or Website.  LinkedIn profiles tend to rank well in Google. (4.) Use LinkedIn to search for References of Potential Employees.

(5.) Use LinkedIn to discover and learn the facts about a potential employee before interviewing or hiring them. (6.) Use LinkedIn to learn about potential clients before doing business with them. (7.) Use LinkedIn to find someone needing your services. (8.) Use LinkedIn to keep an eye on your competitors. LinkedIn, especially the Job Boards, are a great way to monitor what your competitors are doing. (9.) Use LinkedIn to get publicity in articles, blog posts and reviews. (10.) Establish yourself as an expert by answering questions within LinkedIn Answers.

Bottom line is that it's very important to maintain a LinkedIn profile for your business.  Not only because your competition is, but because you would be missing out on many opportunities and brand recognition by not doing so.  Sometimes all it takes is a few extra minutes a day updating your LinkedIn profile and responding to people.  Those few extra minutes will help you greatly. 

Wondering more about what LinkedIn is?  Check out this video. 

Posted March 8, 2010 | Read all posts by Liz Wood